Author
Topic: Question on narrow frames. (Read 2173 times)

That is, when cutting down 1 3/8" frames to 1 1/4", should the lower portion of the end bars be cut down also? That space gets awfully small. Additionally I want to make my already assembled and used frames narrow, any pointers? Thanks!

Moots

If you fit 11 frames in a 10 frame brood box, or 9 frames in a 8 frame brood box...Your in essence gaming the system, that extra frame allows for more comb, hence more cells, hence more place for the queen to lay, hence more bees in the same amount of space.

Sort of the opposite of what a lot of folks do in their honey supers...One less frame there allows for thicker comb. The folks that do it claim you get more honey, or at least as much, per box, with the thicker comb. Advantages are fewer frames to uncap and extract, as well as being easier to uncap.

Not saying I'll never give one or the other, or both a try....but for now, I'm content simply using the standard # of frames in both my brood boxes and honey supers.

I do not want to hijack this thread but my question about cutting frames is highly related. Sorry if this is a problem.

If I cut down the 1 3/8 to 1 1/4 (centers) by cutting off 1/16 from each side will that not cause a problem with "bee space" between the top bars? The gap on my Kelly frames (1 inch top bars) will then be 1/4 inch..... I thought that was "too small"???

I am getting fully regressed small cell bees to put on these frames in about 3 weeks and before I take a saw to the pile of frame parts I want to be sure I am doing this properly and do not need to modify the top bar also. Thanks!

1/4" to 3/8" is the range of bee space. 1/4" is not too small. Bees will squeeze through 1/6" if they need to but will often propolize that size space if they don't need to get through it. They can't get through less than 1/6".